COMDDAP Davao Reflection

COMDDAP Davao Reflection

Computer Manufacturers, Distributors, and Dealers Association of the Philippines (COMDDAP) held an exhibit at Apo View Hotel from July 2 to July 4 of this year, 2009. I scheduled to attend their seminars on the 3rd day of July but my classmates also scheduled me on the 2nd day of July (hehe), both on afternoon schedule so I decided to attend on those days that I’m scheduled regardless of who scheduled it (besides it’s an opportunity, right?).

On the 2nd day of July 2009 my classmates and I went to Apo View Hotel and attended the afternoon session seminars, but before that, we first strolled around the exhibits because we find them interesting specially the booth with free sling (hehe). I think it was SmartBro’s booth that includes that freebie thing; anyway, we didn’t have that sling because the line was quite time-consuming and we are not the kind of person who stays only for a sling (haha!). So we continue roaming around and there were some people who also roam around while giving brochures, as a result we have collected a lot of different brochures. When we notice that some of our classmates are not around anymore we immediately looked for the room where the seminar is held.

We went in a bit late in the 'ERIC Dealer Management System' session; this tackles the ERIC DMS which is an end-to-end software solution for automotive dealer operation. ERIC DMS range of solutions covers Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Vehicle Sales and Administration (VSA) and Service Management (SVM). It is also supported by a robust back-end system on parts and supplies inventory, over the counter sales, purchasing and requisite financial modules for financial accounting and reporting.

The next session was about ‘HP Thin Client’. Thin clients are computing devices that function as an access device on a network. During the session it was discussed that the typical computing solution for most enterprises is an unmanaged network. Unmanaged PC computing has its advantages: user autonomy, the ability to work independent of a network, and the ability to utilize graphics-intensive applications. However, unmanaged computing has significant drawbacks that lead to higher costs: lower security, increased downtime, and increased soft costs. Users are able to add, delete, and modify programs and data. Diskette drives allow for users to remove confidential data and load (intentionally or otherwise) harmful viruses. Companies that are able to utilize a thin client server computing solution are able to reap substantial savings and benefits versus companies that use traditional PC-based computing solutions. Below are some of the traditional pitfalls that commonly occur in an unmanaged computing network:
• Hard drive crashes resulting in data loss and user downtime
• Costly service calls to repair hardware and solve software problems
• Multiple images on different PCs leading to a different set of problems for each machine
• Theft of equipment
• Theft of data
• Applications are not standardized
• Version control is difficult to maintain
• Increased time spent deploying software and upgrades
• Difficulty establishing uniform standards in complex business environments, such as post-merger companies.

So, to avoid those pitfalls it is better to use HP Thin Client. (toinks!)
Anyway, there was a ‘question and answer’ portion at the end of the HP Thin Client session and the prizes were really good because they had given away four flash drives with 2 gb, a t-shirt, and an 8gb flash drive (whoa!). I was really eyeing for the 8gb flash drive but the question was quite hard (not really hard, I just haven’t written down the HP models which was the question.tssk3x.), but one of our classmates got it because the question had been changed and he happen to know the answer so he got it.

After HP Thin Client was ‘Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System’. This is a software suite built for the retailer designed to fully automate their business across all channels of commerce, it has a low TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) that provides quick return on investment (ROI). The facilitator discussed this subject very quickly because he was aware that we (the listeners) were a bit sleepy already. Honestly, that is all I can remember because I was indeed very sleepy that time. Peace!

My energy went back when I heard that the next session was about ‘Open Source for Business Applications’ catered by Spinweb. I only have a little knowledge about Open Source and I wanted to know more about it so I listened very well (hehe). Open source is an approach to the design, development, and distribution of software, offering practical accessibility to software’s source code. Some of the Open Source Technologies are: LAMP (Linux Apache MySQL PHP), Drupal, Joomla, Wordpress, OS Commerce, Zen Cart, Ruby on Rails, PHP Cake, Civi CRM and Moodle. I have also thought before that Open Source Application doesn’t have a license but because of this seminar I learned that it is actually licensed the thing is it is “free”. Chocolates were also given after the session because of the Q & A about the different logos of those Open Source Technologies that I have mentioned earlier. hehe
All those things happened on July 2, 2009 but I went back on July 3, 2009 and attended the ‘Windows Server 2008’ session. I am interested in this topic because on our DataComm II last semester we have discussed different servers but we were not able to discuss Windows Server 2008. The features of Windows Server 2008 are really nice compared to the other Windows Servers. Windows Server 2008 is designed to power the next generation of networks, applications and Web services. There are new Web tools, virtualization technologies, security enhancements, and management utilities which will help save time, reduce costs, and provide a solid foundation for your information technology (IT) infrastructure.

Attending COMDDAP was really a great experience for me. My favorites are the Open Source Business Applications, Windows Server 2008 and HP Thin Client. I have gained new learning and I am sure I will be able to use these learning in the future when I will be an IT Consultant or even for some decision makings. Maybe someday I will be part of a team who will build a website using an Open Source Application, or maybe I will use Windows Server 2008 and HP Thin Client…just maybe, someday..who knows? Hehe..

Reference:
http://www.wikipedia.com/